Cost of living in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan vs Thimphu, Bhutan
Currency:
Food | - 29% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 29% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 337 som (293 Ngultrum) | 416 Ngultrum | - 30% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 202 som (175 Ngultrum) | 327 Ngultrum | - 47% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 161 som (140 Ngultrum) | 160 Ngultrum | - 13% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 48 som (42 Ngultrum) | 72 Ngultrum | - 43% | |
12 eggs, large | 95 som (83 Ngultrum) | 141 Ngultrum | - 41% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 114 som (99 Ngultrum) | 56 Ngultrum | + 76% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 263 som (228 Ngultrum) | 199 Ngultrum | + 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 82 som (71 Ngultrum) | 138 Ngultrum | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 24 som (20 Ngultrum) | 34 Ngultrum | - 40% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 59 som (51 Ngultrum) | 66 Ngultrum | - 23% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 473 som (410 Ngultrum) | 864 Ngultrum | - 52% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 72 som (62 Ngultrum) | 85 Ngultrum | - 27% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 27 som (24 Ngultrum) | 25 Ngultrum | - 7% | |
Housing | - 11% | |||
Housing in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 11% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 48,756 som (42,282 Ngultrum) | 33,397 Ngultrum | + 27% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 27,915 som (24,208 Ngultrum) | 19,953 Ngultrum | + 21% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,555 som (2,216 Ngultrum) | 6,463 Ngultrum | - 66% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 29,388 som (25,485 Ngultrum) | 26,426 Ngultrum | - 4% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 15,804 som (13,705 Ngultrum) | 18,456 Ngultrum | - 26% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,673 som (1,451 Ngultrum) | 4,153 Ngultrum | - 65% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,081 som (937 Ngultrum) | 1,094 Ngultrum | - 14% | |
40” flat screen tv | 23,912 som (20,737 Ngultrum) | 41,226 Ngultrum | - 50% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 8,230 som (7,137 Ngultrum) | 9,656 Ngultrum | - 26% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 592 som (513 Ngultrum) | 336 Ngultrum | + 53% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 344 som (298 Ngultrum) | 324 Ngultrum | - 8% | |
Clothes | + 22% | |||
Clothes in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 22% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,405 som (2,953 Ngultrum) | 2,182 Ngultrum | + 35% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,775 som (2,407 Ngultrum) | 2,110 Ngultrum | + 14% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 6,215 som (5,390 Ngultrum) | 5,165 Ngultrum | + 4% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 6,803 som (5,899 Ngultrum) | 3,295 Ngultrum | + 79% | |
Transportation | - 60% | |||
Transportation in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 60% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 950,172 som (823,993 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | - 46% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 42 som (36 Ngultrum) | 66 Ngultrum | - 45% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 675 som (585 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | - 74% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 163 som (141 Ngultrum) | 315 Ngultrum | - 55% | |
Personal Care | - 25% | |||
Personal Care in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 25% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 232 som (201 Ngultrum) | 84 Ngultrum | + 141% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 636 som (551 Ngultrum) | 500 Ngultrum | + 10% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,251 som (1,085 Ngultrum) | 3,000 Ngultrum | - 64% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 122 som (106 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | - 59% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 191 som (165 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | - 16% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 231 som (200 Ngultrum) | 285 Ngultrum | - 30% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 73 som (63 Ngultrum) | 99 Ngultrum | - 37% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 93 som (81 Ngultrum) | 53 Ngultrum | + 52% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 277 som (240 Ngultrum) | 202 Ngultrum | + 19% | |
Entertainment | - 33% | |||
Entertainment in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 33% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,343 som (1,165 Ngultrum) | 1,340 Ngultrum | - 13% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 533 som (462 Ngultrum) | 480 Ngultrum | - 4% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,068 som (2,661 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 57% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,930 som (1,674 Ngultrum) | 2,326 Ngultrum | - 28% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 250 som (217 Ngultrum) | 688 Ngultrum | - 68% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 177 som (154 Ngultrum) | 167 Ngultrum | - 8% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 137 som (119 Ngultrum) | 103 Ngultrum | + 16% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 24,164 som (20,955 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 64% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.96 som (2.57 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | - 5% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,126 som (2,711 Ngultrum) | 2,763 Ngultrum | - 2% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 82 som (71 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | - 79% | |
TOTAL | - 32% |

These prices were last updated on January 16, 2021.
Exchange rate:
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Cost of living in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 32% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 109,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu you would need to make just about 74,101 Ngultrum (85,449 som) in Bishkek.
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